Rotor assembly

Abstract

An impeller and shaft assembly suitable for use in an overhung compressor for facilitating mounting and rearranging impellers upon a shaft. A stud is threaded into the end of the shaft and the impeller slidably mounted thereon. An elongated key is inserted between the stud, the shaft, and the impeller to cojoin the three elements. In another embodiment, a second impeller is mounted upon the stud adjacent the first impeller with the two impellers being locked to the stud by a common key.

What we claim is: 
     
       1. A rotor assembly for use in an overhung rotary machine wherein the rotor components are cantilevered from the end of a shaft including a drive shaft operatively connected to the machine drive and rotatably supported in a base frame with at least one end of the shaft extending outwardly beyond said frame, the extended end face of the shaft having an aperture formed therein,   a stud secured to the shaft and extending outwardly beyond the end face thereof in axial alignment with the shaft,   a rotor member slidably mounted upon the stud having an axially extended shoulder thereon which is press fitted into the aperture formed within the end face of the shaft to support the rotor member in axial alignment with the stud and the shaft, and   a key positioned to engage the shaft, the stud and the rotor member.   
     
     
       2. The assembly of claim 1 having further locking means engaging the free end of the stud to prevent axial movement of the rotor member. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus for supporting a series of rotor elements upon a shaft including a drive shaft operatively connected to a drive means and being rotatably supported in a frame with at least one end of the shaft extending outwardly beyond said frame, the end face of said extended portion of the shaft having an aperture formed therein,   an elongated stud being secured within the shaft in coaxial alignment therewith extending outwardly from said end face,   a first impeller slidably mounted upon said stud having a shoulder thereon which is press fitted into the aperture formed in the end face of the shaft,   a first key engaging the shaft, the stud and the first impeller,   a second impeller slidably mounted upon said shaft in contiguous relation with the first impeller having an extended shoulder press fitted into a receiving aperture formed in said first impeller, and   a second key engaging the stud and said first and second impellers.   
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3 further including securing means operatively associated with the free end of the stud to prevent axial movement of said impellers. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said stud is threaded into said shaft. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first and said second keys are offset 180° in relation to the stud.